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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Formation of Ordered Biomolecular Structures by the Self-assembly of Short Peptides
Published on: November 21, 2013
Hemoglobin-mimetic oxygen adsorbent prepared via self-assembly of cysteinyl bolaamphiphiles
Chaemyeong Lee1, Min-Chul Kim1, Sang-Yup Lee1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
In this study, a novel cysteinyl bolaamphiphilic molecule was synthesized and its self-assembled planar suprastructure was applied as a biomimetic matrix to create a hemoglobin-mimetic oxygen adsorbent that exploits the ability of cysteine thiols to bind hemin. Self-assembly of the cysteinyl bolaamphiphilic molecule exposed cysteine thiols on its surface in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol, known to reduce disulfide bonds, without which, helically coiled structures were generated. The self-assembled planar structure was used as a soft matrix to create a hemoglobin-mimetic oxygen adsorbent. The surface-exposed cysteine thiols were used to attach hemin, producing a hemin-bound, planar structure mimicking hemoglobin. This hemoglobin mimic strongly adsorbed oxygen and remained stable up to 50°C. The cysteinyl bolaamphiphile self-assembled structure provided a biomimetic platform that allowed for the association of biological substances in a manner similar to natural proteins.
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